Tuesday, November 28, 2017

A few weeks back I fell in love with thee most beautiful jeweled statement earrings 😍 Have I mentioned that I L❤VE statement earrings?! We all know accessory selections really do matter, for instance statement earrings can elevate a simple outfit effortlessly. Lately I've been partial to colorful fringe and or tassel statement earrings (the bigger the better) - but this gorgeous duo swept me off my feet by surprise. I initially spotted them online, but I wanted to see them in-person prior to making a firm commitment. I headed over to the brick & mortar locale, happily they were in stock, and unbelievably they were just as stunning in-person. I snapped them up in a hurry (along with a few other things that I most certainly did not need), and raced home to play dress up in them.Surprise, surprise, surprise 😒 They were heavy 😓Very heavy 😖 Too heavy 😷 Ridiculously H E A V Y 😳 My ears hurt just just from trying them on! A decision had to be made. Should I attempt to return the earrings, or try to find a way to wear them painlessly? I opted to search for a way to alleviate the pain (and any possible damage to my ears)...during a google search, I discovered a wonderful invention for earring lovers HERE. Someone figured out that removable lapels can support the weight of an earring and how to apply them to and from the ear with ease. At first I doubted the validity of the advert claims, but I read through hundreds of positive reviews. I decided to give it a shot and I'm so happy that I did! Now I can wear all of my statement earrings carefree! Until next time Babes,Xx

Dressing for fall is a bit of a conundrum in SoCal. In fact, in case you haven't noticed, the weather is often a topic of discussion here on the blog. The reason? It has a major bearing on what I wear 😏 My husband and I originate from the Midwest (with an East Coast vibe). We were accustomed to experiencing four full seasons each year. Once we moved to the West Coast, that all changed. Several years in, I still at times find it a challenge to adapt... For instance, thus far this fall, temperatures have ranged from 50-105° degrees Fahrenheit...SHEIN recently reached out to me and invited me to snag a few pieces from their new plus size offerings. Believe or not, I actually had to check the weather before I made my selection(s). LOL! I ❤ classic gingham prints, in fact I was enthralled by the Gingham Storm this past summer... When I saw that mild temperatures were in the forecast, I immediately opted for this off the shoulder gingham ruffle dress. I sized up (a habit that I have whenever trying a brand that I am not familiar with), but as it turns out- I didn't need to with this dress 😳 Nonetheless, I made it work by adding in a belt. I styled the dress with a top and without a top underneath to give you an idea of how you might layer it. Actually a black turtleneck also comes to mind, as does a black leather moto jacket... My husband said that with a top it reminds him of something off of Little House on the Prairie - 😁😁😁Until next time Babes,Xx

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Have you noticed any differences since daylight savings time ended? That extra hour made a H U G E difference for me - in a good way! I'm waking up an hour earlier than I need to, which is actually quite wonderful - I always need extra time as I tend to run late for everrrything... Now when I leave in the mornings bright skies greet me versus dark ones, this helps to jumpstart my day. And even in the evenings, although it is now dark super early, I get to watch the sunset 😊 It makes me wonder though, have I technically been off schedule since daylight savings time began?! LOL!This November must be all about trying 'something new'. I recently tried pearl embellished jeans for the very first time, next it was sequin jogging pants, and now I am going for a spin in the ever trendy one stripe trouser👀 Sidebar: Gucci has the cutest pair HERE ...First off, I LOVE the fit and flow of these trousers by Rachel Roy! They are so comfortable, I almost feel like I'm wearing PJs! Aside from comfort, they are also stylish and totally on trend. For their grand debut, I paired them with a leopard print moto (that I sometimes forget I have), a hot pink pussy bow blouse, and nude peep toe booties. Yesterday I styled them for my 9-5 with a white blazer, red ruffled blouse, and black velvet slides. In my head they offer a number of possibilities. In fact, I already have in mind how I want to style them on their next go round! I'm planning to pair them with a chambray top or denim jacket 😎 Although, a black turtleneck would also be super cute, or perhaps a pale pink coat with matching shoes...I just love it when new acquisitions offer a number of styling options!Over to you Babes, what new things are you trying this month?!Until next time,Xx

Another thing that I simply love about this time of year: The fabulous variety of special occasion wear available at practically every retailer, varying from low-end to high-end. Yes Babes, now is the time to shop special occasion wear! Retailers are stocked to the brim with fits and accessories for just about any occasion that you can think of. I always stock up on items that I may want to wear to venues throughout the following year (like weddings, outdoor parties, blogger events, etc), as stockpiles have a tendency to dwindle down to non existent after January. Today's look is a perfect alternative for a cocktail themed event. Perhaps you're like me and want to switch it up a bit- out of the typical LBD, sequin dress, or formal suit routine. This jacket gives me a total tuxedo vibe, with a feminine twist by way of a tie at the waist. The sequin joggers are casual yet playful. Absolutely ❤ them! I added in a bow tie, fishnet stockings, and a novelty bag to seal the deal. Note: Although I love the fit and look of these sequin jogging pants, they may not be practical for frequent wear. I noticed that persistent friction causes sequins to get loose and fall off. This was not a total deal breaker for me- yet an important factor to point out 😉Until next time,Xx

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Hey Loves! I've been wanting a pair of embellished jeans for what feels like forever. I even considered making my own, and pinned several tutorials to my ever growing Pinterest boards. Before I had the chance to test out my DIY skills, I scored a pair of pearly blues c/o Charlotte Russe. They are so stinking cute! The only con: They are a tad too big...If you order these, please don't size up like I did 😉For their grand debut, I paired them with a fun one shoulder top, tweed booties, and a cable knit black hat. As if the ensemble wasn't fun enough, I added in a camera novelty bag which really worked well to pull the entire look together.I think I still may try my hand at embellishing a pair of jeans, but first - I have to find the T I M E 😊Until next time,Xx

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Now that the end of daylight savings time has arrived, I am at the realization that fall is on its way out and winter is just over the horizon. I ❤ warm weather fashion options! With cooler weather comes the perfect opportunities to indulge in an array of soft, plush, and delectable textures/fabrics. A few favorites immediately come to mind 😊 For starters, V E L V E T anyone? How about FAUX FUR? I am totally smitten with the resurgence of furry purses. Velvet is so accessible, and the variety out there is amazing! I've seen velvet scarves, shirts, camis, skirts, dresses, pants, and even socks! I might have to try a pair of velvet socks out, you know, just for feels-LOL! Today's look combines two of my favorite fall textures, plus they just so happen to be in the most perfect blush hue - can we call that a win/win? Which one is your favorite?!Until next time,Xx

Friday, November 3, 2017

Several weeks ago, I treated myself to an afternoon of mid-week shopping. I got valet parking and took my time walking from store to store over a two-block stretch. In my opinion, mid-week shopping is more enjoyable than weekend shopping because stores aren’t full of the masses, parking tends to be a breeze (versus circling 5+ times - a common issue in Los Angeles), and store displays/racks are neat and fully stocked. Crowded stores and messy displays/racks are a complete turn off for me. In fact, once we enter the official holiday shopping period, when things tend to go absolute haywire -I’ll be steering clear of brick & mortar stores… unless they are open around or after midnight… Shopping after hours often offers the same perks as midweek shopping. Moving on, I perused store after store, but nothing caught my eye. I decided to cross the street, and check out a store that I don’t frequent nearly enough. Almost immediately I spotted this lush, navy blue kimono. It was ❤ at first sight. I tried it on, it was the exact fit that I wanted: slightly oversized AND ankle length. The embroidered detail was so intricate, it seemed to make the flowers come to life. Needless to say, it found a new home with me.

Every time I wear this beauty, I get so many compliments. I love that it can be dressed up or down, depending on your mood/need. For today’s look, I wore it casually, with a monochrome color palette. I pulled out a pair of dark denim jeans that a brand sent me a month or so ago. I honestly was surprised with how well and comfortably they fit 😀Why? New brands oftentimes miss the mark when it comes to the quality and fit that I am accustomed to. However that was not the case with this one! Pleasant surprises are the absolute best! Check out other options from them HERE, HERE, and HERE (excellent sale price).